As I get deeper and deeper into this great sport of triathlon, I realize that it is a sub-culture or really a culture of its own. I can relate to this as I was recently talking with a buddy of mine who's wife is in law enforcement. He talked about all the things that police do, on and off duty. I tried to give some advise being that I have been on both sides of that fence. But after talking with him I realized that triathlon is the same way. People dive into the water on their first triathlon and get completely consumed by the culture. Soon they 'need' a heart rate monitor, new shoes, a tri bike and HED wheels.
Now I am not saying this is bad, just stating a fact! Pretty soon you are hanging out with triathletes because they 'get it'. They 'get' all the training hours. They 'get' the intense rush one gets from pushing your self past a point where you never thought was possible. They 'get' that people are sucked into the culture.
I guess most things are fine in moderation, but then again an Ironman is not moderation! So I guess I will continue to seek out 'friends' for 5 hours bike rides and 2 mile open water swims!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
CLEARWATER RACE REPORT
I'm not sure what is going on this race season, but woke up to another rainy morning. Fortunately it was only in the metro area. I had to drive about an hour north to get to the race. This time I was able to get a "normal" pre race breakfast. The drive up was very relaxing and I was able to get focused and prepared mentally. This is something I'm working on as I know race morning at Ironman will be hectic.
As I set up transition I wanted to get out on the bike and warm up a little. I noticed that the wind was about 20-25 mph straight out of the south. Over the last year or so, I have noticed that I am stronger in windy conditions.
Swim
A little longer swim this time compared to my last race. Right before the gun goes off, I move off to the right of the main pack. I jump in and settle into my race pace right away. It was nice to swim my pace and not getting beat up and pushed around. Swim went very smooth n fast! It ended up being my fastest open water swim! Came out of the water 9th in my AG. Good thing my swim was fast because these guys came to race! Fast group!
T1
Had a great transition, with no mistakes! Passed 5 in transition before heading out to bike.
Bike
Within the first mile, I drop my chain! Stupid mistake on my part by shifting both front n back at the same time. I NEVER do this, but I didn't freak out. I pulled to the right, stopped n put it back on. Now I was on a mission. Started out with a tail wind, passing one after another! Ended up with the 3rd fastest bike split in my AG. Also another PR! I was stoked but also realistic going into the run.
T2
As I came into transition I entered the wrong row. I had to pick my bike up and over the bike rack, into the right spot. 3rd fastest transition.
Run
Getting onto the run, I never really found my legs. After a PR in both the swim AND the bike, I knew it was possible that it was going to be a long run. First of all, I'm not a great trail runner. Second, my foot is not a 100% and the uneven ground proved to be too much for my current state of recovery. I crossed the finish line but not in the ideal condition.
Finished 8th in my AG. I was really happy overall, as two PR's don't happen everyday! I have learned to control my breathing while racing. I believe I just needed a couple races under my belt. I am currently working on my endurance on the bike and slowly adding miles on the run. Lots of things learned from this race!
As I set up transition I wanted to get out on the bike and warm up a little. I noticed that the wind was about 20-25 mph straight out of the south. Over the last year or so, I have noticed that I am stronger in windy conditions.
Swim
A little longer swim this time compared to my last race. Right before the gun goes off, I move off to the right of the main pack. I jump in and settle into my race pace right away. It was nice to swim my pace and not getting beat up and pushed around. Swim went very smooth n fast! It ended up being my fastest open water swim! Came out of the water 9th in my AG. Good thing my swim was fast because these guys came to race! Fast group!
T1
Had a great transition, with no mistakes! Passed 5 in transition before heading out to bike.
Bike
Within the first mile, I drop my chain! Stupid mistake on my part by shifting both front n back at the same time. I NEVER do this, but I didn't freak out. I pulled to the right, stopped n put it back on. Now I was on a mission. Started out with a tail wind, passing one after another! Ended up with the 3rd fastest bike split in my AG. Also another PR! I was stoked but also realistic going into the run.
T2
As I came into transition I entered the wrong row. I had to pick my bike up and over the bike rack, into the right spot. 3rd fastest transition.
Run
Getting onto the run, I never really found my legs. After a PR in both the swim AND the bike, I knew it was possible that it was going to be a long run. First of all, I'm not a great trail runner. Second, my foot is not a 100% and the uneven ground proved to be too much for my current state of recovery. I crossed the finish line but not in the ideal condition.
Finished 8th in my AG. I was really happy overall, as two PR's don't happen everyday! I have learned to control my breathing while racing. I believe I just needed a couple races under my belt. I am currently working on my endurance on the bike and slowly adding miles on the run. Lots of things learned from this race!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
St. CLOUD RACE REPORT
Set my alarm and fell asleep, although I did not sleep much, 5am came along way too soon. Got up and noticed it was pouring out. This took the wind out of my sail. After three full seasons of triathlon racing this would be my first rainy start. The race was delayed 30 min. I showered, and on my way to the kitchen I realized I forgot to pack a breakfast. So I ate three pieces of leftover pizza :( not ideal but calories nonetheless. I packed up and headed out!
Swim
I normally start the swim off to the side or wait a second or two to wait for the hardcore swimmers to get out of the way. This time I jumped right in the middle of them all, sticking to my race strategy. Right out of the gate I came up to sight and breathe, when another tri-mate pushed on my back and I swallowed half the lake! Took me the rest of the swim to regain my composure and get my head back in race mode. Ended up coming out 5th in my age group.
T1
I pride myself on having fast transitions. This one didn't disappoint. Passed three ppl in my age group and went out on the bike in 2nd place.
BIKE
About 500 feet from T1 I hit a bump and heard a noise from my back tire. I started to hear a high pitch squealing noise. I couldn't figure out why my heart rate was so high but I wasn't going as fast as normal. As I reached down to get my sunglasses, they fell and were long gone! But at the halfway point I got off the bike and noticed a huge bulge in the my tire that was rubbing on my frame. So I moved up on my saddle to put more pressure on my front tire (as I didn't want to get a flat). I limped into T2. I was passed by the three people that I had passed in T1.
T2
As I got to the dismount line my back tire went flat! Talk about perfect timing! I put my bike away, put my shoes on and off I went. Ended up in the top ten for total transition times!
RUN
Before the race started a friend and fellow member of Triple Threat Tough said to me that you have to run 3.1 miles so you might as well do it fast and get it over with. So I went out and made sure that my heart rate stayed high and I was uncomfortable! I ended up running my way to a personal best! Ended up 6th in my age group.
This report just goes to show that a triathlete needs to (as we said back in the S.W.A.T. team days) adapt, improvise and overcome! My race strategy was to go hard on the swim and bike and just get the run over with. I had worked hard on my bike leg and wanted to get a PR (personal record), but with things thrown my way I had to adapt, improvise and overcome.
One thing I need to figure out is how to get my heart rate up during training and down during the race. I stay at about 166-168 bpm during the race. I feel like I am out of breath on the bike and can not push as hard as I would like.
In the upcoming weeks I'm going to work on my endurance on my bike (longer rides). Since my longest run since April has been an hour, I need to get some running miles under my belt. Lets see how the foot holds up!
Swim
I normally start the swim off to the side or wait a second or two to wait for the hardcore swimmers to get out of the way. This time I jumped right in the middle of them all, sticking to my race strategy. Right out of the gate I came up to sight and breathe, when another tri-mate pushed on my back and I swallowed half the lake! Took me the rest of the swim to regain my composure and get my head back in race mode. Ended up coming out 5th in my age group.
T1
I pride myself on having fast transitions. This one didn't disappoint. Passed three ppl in my age group and went out on the bike in 2nd place.
BIKE
About 500 feet from T1 I hit a bump and heard a noise from my back tire. I started to hear a high pitch squealing noise. I couldn't figure out why my heart rate was so high but I wasn't going as fast as normal. As I reached down to get my sunglasses, they fell and were long gone! But at the halfway point I got off the bike and noticed a huge bulge in the my tire that was rubbing on my frame. So I moved up on my saddle to put more pressure on my front tire (as I didn't want to get a flat). I limped into T2. I was passed by the three people that I had passed in T1.
T2
As I got to the dismount line my back tire went flat! Talk about perfect timing! I put my bike away, put my shoes on and off I went. Ended up in the top ten for total transition times!
RUN
Before the race started a friend and fellow member of Triple Threat Tough said to me that you have to run 3.1 miles so you might as well do it fast and get it over with. So I went out and made sure that my heart rate stayed high and I was uncomfortable! I ended up running my way to a personal best! Ended up 6th in my age group.
This report just goes to show that a triathlete needs to (as we said back in the S.W.A.T. team days) adapt, improvise and overcome! My race strategy was to go hard on the swim and bike and just get the run over with. I had worked hard on my bike leg and wanted to get a PR (personal record), but with things thrown my way I had to adapt, improvise and overcome.
One thing I need to figure out is how to get my heart rate up during training and down during the race. I stay at about 166-168 bpm during the race. I feel like I am out of breath on the bike and can not push as hard as I would like.
In the upcoming weeks I'm going to work on my endurance on my bike (longer rides). Since my longest run since April has been an hour, I need to get some running miles under my belt. Lets see how the foot holds up!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
CONSISTENCY
This is a word that I struggle with. Having not posted in a while a have been through a rough spot in life n training. I had to withdraw from my first marathon due to torn tendon in my foot. THAT WAS A HIT BELOW THE BELT! After that I struggled with training CONSISTENTLY. Since then I have dug my way back to my old self and I am back on track! People in my inner circle can tell when things are not right with me because I get quiet. I'm not the type of guy who tells people much about my personal life (or much of anything really).
I found that I need daily motivators in my life to assist me with this long journey. My motivators are little post-it notes. I find a word or saying and write it down on several post-it notes and blast them everywhere! In my car, in my locker at work, on my water bottle that I use everyday and even as far as writing the word on my hand!
Another area I lack consistency are my eating habits. I have yet to find my motivator for this area. I eat well when I'm training hard but as soon as my recovery weeks start, I take a nose dive! I am going to start packing my lunch the night before and implement a rule that I an not eat anything that doesn't come from my lunch box. This will be difficult but accomplishable. Difficult because my co-workers have a pot luck every week n every time there is food, I can't resist. Considering I need to lose about 10 lbs I need to be more CONSISTENT with my eating habits. CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY!
I found that I need daily motivators in my life to assist me with this long journey. My motivators are little post-it notes. I find a word or saying and write it down on several post-it notes and blast them everywhere! In my car, in my locker at work, on my water bottle that I use everyday and even as far as writing the word on my hand!
Another area I lack consistency are my eating habits. I have yet to find my motivator for this area. I eat well when I'm training hard but as soon as my recovery weeks start, I take a nose dive! I am going to start packing my lunch the night before and implement a rule that I an not eat anything that doesn't come from my lunch box. This will be difficult but accomplishable. Difficult because my co-workers have a pot luck every week n every time there is food, I can't resist. Considering I need to lose about 10 lbs I need to be more CONSISTENT with my eating habits. CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Take Care Of It!
I am realizing how important it is to take care of your body. I have been in "shape" most of my life. I would swim, bike, run, play basketball, football and never stretch, barely warm and up and definitely NOT take an ice bath! But as this journey continues I am learning that I need to take care of my body, even on a daily basis. 1 Corinthians says...."do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." I need to start treating my body like a temple.
I have been going to Optimum Health and Wellness in St. Louis Park, MN. The staff there are extremely knowledgable and very friendly. Come to find out that my IT band has been the culprit this whole time.
So I will continue to eat right, exercise and do the necessary recovery on a daily basis. With the treatments at the chiropractor, my new running shoes and recovery treatments, I will continue to get stronger and faster in a healthy way!
I have been going to Optimum Health and Wellness in St. Louis Park, MN. The staff there are extremely knowledgable and very friendly. Come to find out that my IT band has been the culprit this whole time.
So I will continue to eat right, exercise and do the necessary recovery on a daily basis. With the treatments at the chiropractor, my new running shoes and recovery treatments, I will continue to get stronger and faster in a healthy way!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
New Mindset
After last week, I was left feeling down. I didn't think I was going to make it out alive. I struggled, to say the least. I bounced back the next day and got up at 4:15am to get my workouts in. Since then things have been looking up. I spoke with my coach John Hirsch this afternoon and heard just what I needed to hear, I got that magical feeling back. The amount of knowledge that he has is incredible! I love the fact that with everything he has on his plate and the number of athletes that he coaches, he ALWAYS has time to talk! (If you need a coach, click on the icon on the right and look him up!)
So since I have been having some issues with my legs/feet, I went to the local TC Running store and Adam hooked me up with a new pair of shoes! Hopefully with the exercises, new running style and these new kicks, I will be back in prime form and ready for my marathon!
So since I have been having some issues with my legs/feet, I went to the local TC Running store and Adam hooked me up with a new pair of shoes! Hopefully with the exercises, new running style and these new kicks, I will be back in prime form and ready for my marathon!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Getting started.....well kinda
When i say kinda, I mean that I have already started my journey to Ironman Florida 2013. I thought this would be a great way for friends, family and sponsors to see how the journey is going on that particular day/week. As we all know, training for an Ironman will have many ups and downs!
So please follow along n leave comments when you feel the need! I can use all the motivation that is presented!!!
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